Journalist for Fajar Daily in Pangkep district, South Sulawesi experienced intimidation from entrepreneurs, after writing a report on the alleged trade in subsidized diesel fuel for fishermen in that region.
The news entitled "Subsidized Diesel Illegally Traded" was published on May 20 2024. This news quoted a statement from a fisherman, who said that subsidized diesel often ran out at public fuel filling places.
So they have to buy diesel from a businessman who provides a large stock of subsidized diesel.
Three further news stories criticizing the subsidized diesel trade for fishermen were published at the end of May 2024.
The entrepreneur contacted the journalist 3 times, on Friday, May 31 2024. The journalist did not respond to the telephone call. After the journalist received the call, the businessman spoke in a threatening tone and asked to meet the journalist.
"Where are you ? Who is the source for the fisherman who bought diesel with me? I want to meet him. Give me his photo," said the businessman. the journalist did not provide the identity of the fisherman. The businessman then sent a message via whatsapp with the same threat.
On the same day, the businessman's relatives or representatives came to the journalist's house, to meet his family so that he could meet the journalist. He said he would continue to wait for journalists to ask for fishermen who were sources for the news.